VDOT Shoulders I-66 Congestion Burden

Beginning Monday, August 25th, the shoulder lanes on I-66 between Route 50 and the Capital Beltway will open to traffic for an additional hour during peak travel times each weekday.
 
Current shoulder lane hours are 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. eastbound and 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. westbound. The new hours will be 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. eastbound and 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. westbound.

This section of I-66 is the most heavily traveled corridor segment, carrying as many as 196,000 vehicles per day. Eastbound congestion regularly extends beyond the current 10 a.m. shoulder closing and westbound congestion begins well before 3 p.m.

VDOT safety studies show no significant increase in the number of traffic accidents when the shoulder lanes are open. This action also has the support of local fire, police and rescue personal. 

VDOT will continue to use the shoulder lanes during traffic incidents and when other lanes are closed for roadwork.

HOV-2 restrictions are unchanged: 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. eastbound and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. westbound.